More than 2,000 residents have managed to buy their very first home in Dubai in just six months and currently there are 40,000 on the waiting list of the First-Time Home Buyer Programme, launched in July last year by the Dubai Land Department and the Department of Economy and Tourism. It’s already driven over AED 3.25 billion in residential property sales… and the government is now looking to expand the initiative even further. Mohammed Yahya, Director of Real Estate Transactions at the Dubai Land Department, gives us the details.

What is it actually like on the ground for buyers navigating mortgages, deposits, and approvals for the very first time? We ask mortgage broker Jo Phillips.

A new report from Oliver Wyman reveals that the global cost of traffic congestion now exceeds 500 billion dollars a year. What can be the solutions to help cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

The Dubai Films and Games Commission is partnering with the UK’s National Film and Television School and Prime Video to launch a new Talent Development Programme aimed at fast-tracking the next generation of scriptwriting and production talent in Dubai.

And meet Austria's clever cow Veronika...

More than 2,000 residents have managed to buy their very first home in Dubai in just six months and currently there are 40,000 on the waiting list of the First-Time Home Buyer Programme, launched in July last year by the Dubai Land Department and the Department of Economy and Tourism. It&rsquo;s already driven over AED 3.25 billion in residential property sales&hellip; and the government is now looking to expand the initiative even further. Mohammed Yahya, Director of Real Estate Transactions at the Dubai Land Department, gives us the details.
What is it actually like on the ground for buyers navigating mortgages, deposits, and approvals for the very first time? We ask mortgage broker Jo Phillips.
A new report from Oliver Wyman reveals that the global cost of traffic congestion now exceeds 500 billion dollars a year. What can be the solutions to help cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
The Dubai Films and Games Commission is partnering with the UK&rsquo;s National Film and Television School and Prime Video to launch a new Talent Development Programme aimed at fast-tracking the next generation of scriptwriting and production talent in Dubai.
And meet Austria's clever cow Veronika...

The Agenda is your go-to programme for news, analysis and comment - a daily digest of local and international stories that matter to you. Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE.
From Covid-19, to climate change and community issues, The Agenda covers stories from every walk of life, so get in touch with us and tell us your news.

The Agenda is your go-to programme for news, analysis and comment - a daily digest of local and international stories that matter to you. Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE. From Covid-19, to climate change and community issues, The Agenda covers stories from every walk of life, so get in touch with us and tell us your news.

The Agenda

Inside Dubai's first-time home buyer programme

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has now completed 65% of a major new bridge project that will link Sheikh Zayed Road directly to Dubai Harbour. Hamad Al Shehhi, Director of Roads at Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA gives us more details.

Is paracetamol safe to take during pregnancy? Well, according to a major new review published in The Lancet, the answer is yes. The researchers behind the study say there is no evidence linking paracetamol use to autism, ADHD, or other developmental issues in children. 

For the first time ever, the UAE will be sending not one, but two athletes to the Winter Olympics. One of them is Piera Hudson who has qualified to compete in alpine skiing at Milano–Cortina 2026, and she joins Georgia on the show today.

A remarkable new archive has just opened beneath the Antarctic ice designed to preserve disappearing climate records from glaciers around the world. We find out more information about the 'Ice Memory Sanctuary’ from Ice Memory Foundation Director, Anne-Catherine Ohlmann.

We discuss food trends and how neuroscience is revolutionising food product development as Gulfood takes place in Dubai.

And it’s already chilly across the Emirates, but is another cold wave on the way?

 

Dubai&rsquo;s Roads and Transport Authority has now completed 65% of a major new bridge project that will link Sheikh Zayed Road directly to Dubai Harbour. Hamad Al Shehhi, Director of Roads at Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA gives us more details.
Is paracetamol safe to take during pregnancy? Well, according to a major new review published in The Lancet, the answer is yes. The researchers behind the study say there is no evidence linking paracetamol use to autism, ADHD, or other developmental issues in children.&nbsp;
For the first time ever, the UAE will be sending not one, but two athletes to the Winter Olympics. One of them is Piera Hudson who has qualified to compete in alpine skiing at Milano&ndash;Cortina 2026, and she joins Georgia on the show today.
A remarkable new archive has just opened beneath the Antarctic ice designed to preserve disappearing climate records from glaciers around the world. We find out more information about the 'Ice Memory Sanctuary&rsquo; from Ice Memory Foundation Director, Anne-Catherine Ohlmann.
We discuss food trends and how neuroscience is revolutionising food product development as Gulfood takes place in Dubai.
And it&rsquo;s already chilly across the Emirates, but is another cold wave on the way?
&nbsp;

Link between Dubai Harbour and Sheikh Zayed Road

As a parent here in the UAE, you now have a legal obligation to monitor your child’s digital activity. Lawyer Dino Wilkinson, partner at Baker, joins us to explain what the law says.

We also look at the psychological and behavioural side of this issue with consultant in digital wellbeing and meaningful learning with technology for children, Dr Alison Burrows.

The National Centre of Meteorology tells us how AI is helping with cloudseeding to boost rainfall. Ahmed El Kamali, Acting Head of cloudseeding operations at the NMC gives us the details.

A video recently shared on Instagram shows litter scattered along popular hiking routes, and it’s prompted a wave of concern from nature lovers who say it's time to take action.

And a group of UAE students transformed a plot of land at a school in Nairobi, turning it into a working farm that will help provide food for children in need.

As a parent here in the UAE, you now have a legal obligation to monitor your child&rsquo;s digital activity. Lawyer Dino Wilkinson, partner at Baker, joins us to explain what the law says.
We also look at the psychological and behavioural side of this issue with consultant in digital wellbeing and meaningful learning with technology for children, Dr Alison Burrows.
The National Centre of Meteorology tells us how AI is helping with cloudseeding to boost rainfall. Ahmed El Kamali, Acting Head of cloudseeding operations at the NMC gives us the details.
A video recently shared on Instagram shows litter scattered along popular hiking routes, and it&rsquo;s prompted a wave of concern from nature lovers who say it's time to take action.
And a group of UAE students transformed a plot of land at a school in Nairobi, turning it into a working farm that will help provide food for children in need.

Parents to monitor children's digital usage

Renting a car should be straightforward. But based on the messages we've been getting from listeners, it seems a lot of people are facing unexpected fees, delayed

refunds, and damage charges they don’t agree with. Ahmad Ahli, Acting Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade joins us to answer your concerns.

We also discuss degree accreditation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Plus, we also ask, does where you studied really matter when you enter the UAE job market? 

And we tell you about a pair of smart glasses that are designed for people with dementia.

Renting a car should be straightforward. But based on the messages we've been getting from listeners, it seems a lot of people are facing unexpected fees, delayed
refunds, and damage charges they don&rsquo;t agree with. Ahmad Ahli, Acting Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade joins us to answer your concerns.
We also discuss degree accreditation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Plus, we also ask, does where you studied really matter when you enter the UAE job market?&nbsp;
And we tell you about a pair of smart glasses that are designed for people with dementia.

Inside Dubai's first-time home buyer programme

In 1 playlist(s)

The Agenda

Follow podcast

Recent clips